... It makes a pleasant change to the dramas, rom coms and soaps and generally has a happy ending!
Grand Designs is an hour-long programme on Channel Four, or one of the Channel Four family (more 4 etc) that follows people that are building or a restoring a property to live in. Generally ... Read review
...is an hour-long programme on Channel Four, or one of the Channel Four family (more 4 etc) that follows people that are building or a restoring a property to live in. Generally everyone that gets involved in the show has a plan to improve their lives or provide a home for their families. Sometimes people get emotionally involved with a particular property or project and this colours the way they approach the development. Either way, the programme ... ...developments in the build itself, but also the emotional rollercoaster ridden by the owners of the build, who always have vast sums of money invested in the project.
Each programme is filmed as the projects progress and they are all hosted by Kevin McCloud, who is not only an excellent narrator, but actually knows his stuff when it comes to buildings. When the programme goes abroad he is actually able to chat to the locals in French ... more
Grand Designs is one of my favourite ways to pass the time while waiting for the fella to finish work and come home. It makes a pleasant change to the dramas, rom coms and soaps and generally has a happy ending!
Grand Designs is an hour-long programme on Channel Four, or one of the Channel Four family (more 4 etc) that follows people that are building or a restoring a property to live in. Generally everyone that gets involved in the show has a plan to improve their lives or provide a home for their families. Sometimes people get emotionally involved with a particular property or project and this colours the way they approach the development. Either way, the programme is shot so that you not only see the technical developments in the build itself, but also the emotional rollercoaster ridden by the owners of the build, who always have vast sums of money invested in the project.
Each programme is filmed as the projects progress and they are all hosted by Kevin McCloud, who is not only an excellent narrator, but actually knows his stuff when it comes to buildings. When the programme goes abroad he is actually able to chat to the locals in French or Italian which gives great authenticity to the build that is taking place and its affect on every one around it. He's also not afraid to have a go and get his hands dirty. We see the plot before the build or restoration begins, then follow the builders, crafts-people, project managers and owners as the building grows, then we are taken on a tour of the building when the project is finished. I like the music that goes with the programme as well - sometimes chirpy, sometimes contemplative, it always seems to suit the mood at that point in the build.
The builds featured vary greatly from episode to episode. There are some that are brand new, contemporary buildings, designed to break new architectural ground but still house a family. These include a house built of straw in France, a white box with one side completely made of glass, a circular, pink house made of polystyrene on the Devonshire coastline, a new and contemporary farmhouse, an eco-house with huge arch in Kent, a Huf House from Germany for a retired artist and his wife and a house made completely of timber. Some are buildings that are being rescued and brought back to life - these have included a completely derelict castle in Yorkshire (which partially collapsed in the initial stages of restoration), a church in the Black Country, a folly in Wales, a huge tithe barn with views of five counties, a massive castle in Tuscany, a run-down cottage in the Brecon Beacons and a 16th century farmhouse.
The appeal of this programme lies in the buildings themselves and the stories associated with them. I find the new buildings less appealing than the restoration of the old ones, but then I prefer older buildings! Many of the people featured in the programme are aiming for a very high spec finish and the best part of the programme has to be the last five minutes when we are taken on a guided tour of all the rooms to see how they have been finished. I also enjoy watching how the different characters project manage their builds; some people take to it straight away and others really struggle with the challenges of building their own house. Some people find it rewarding, others would never do it again. Often people claim that this is their last house, especially in cases where they are moving from a large property to one that is tailored to their needs, such as Pat in Devon with her wierd, curved, pink creation.
There are many stories, both architectural and human, that are weaved throughout the Grand Design episodes. Kevin McCloud asks intelligent questions, offers intelligent contributions and describes the sometimes complicated structural work using models and practical demonstrations.
Grand Designs is a lovely way to spend time in the evenings. Grab a cup of tea and join Kevin on other people's architectural journey. Allow yourself to be inspired to build your own house, or just do what I do and dream of a lottery win.
Advantages: Imaginative and innovative. Disadvantages: Dreams not always fulfilled.
...on television.
From the Channel Four site, people can get in touch with the producers of the program if they have a project that they feel merits the attention that this program gives to each project, and what is evident is that the title is apt. Grand Designs is just what it says it is, and shows you big ideas and ideals put into practice in such a way that you feel moved by the moments of disaster, and pleased with the moment of triumph of each ... ...own grand designs.
Thumbs up channel 4 for a program worth watching that takes the Do it Youself world a step further than most.
Also by the same team, Grand Designs abroad is astounding.
A definite program to watch and one that I highly recommend.
Rachel ...
thingywhatsit 08.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4 - Grand Designs
Advantages: Restoration, interesting Disadvantages: Renovations not always finished before broadcasting
...Monday night at 9pm on Channel 4. Boy was this a good decision to make.
The basic storyline is that a camera crew follows someone who has purchased a run down property and shows what problems they face and the outcome of any restoration.
The start of the programme is the background (I will use last night's episode as an example), a young Welsh couple from the Brecon Beacon's who have purchased a piece of land off their family which included a run ... ...about 4 walls to this cottage but no roof, no insides, no driveway. The cottage was on a very steep hill up a very steep mud track. They show plans to the camera of what they wish to achieve, how many bedrooms, kitchen, lounge etc and state their budget which was Ģ50,000. They also state the timescales involved. They reckoned that they would get this property water tight by 8 weeks!!! Yeah right.
The camera crew follow this restoration work every ...
Jaxxie 22.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4 - Grand Designs
Advantages: very inspiring Disadvantages: the financial worry these people put themselves through
Grand designs is another home developing show but in huge proportions. The programme is on our screens for an hour at 9pm - 10pm on a wednesday night and is hosted by Kevin McCloud. Each episode shows a couples dream house and these can vary in style, shape and size, there have been traditional, eco friendly, historical and so on and so on. The first part of the programme shows the couples plans and what their idea's are for the project, some look ... ...it is going to look like as some have very strange visions in their mind and others look awe inspiring. You then follow them and see how the house goes from nothing into a raw structure and then into their home and in some cases it takes them years to complete, but when you see the final house it really shows on their faces that they have completed their dreams and has been so worth it. A few weeks ago a carpenter did the whole project himself, the ...
pompeysmick11 16.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Channel 4 - Grand Designs
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Advantages: Great show for that midweek TV boredom, Kirsty and Phil's dynamics Disadvantages: Too short, and the buyers are sometimes incredibly irritating
(Currently showing on Channel4 at 8 pm on Wednesdays.)
Along with GrandDesigns, another Channel4 property programme, I personally feel that Location Location Location is the classiest show in its genre on TV.
It all boils down to the presenters Kirsty and Phil, who are intelligent, tasteful (no sunbed, straightened & streaked hair, glued on smile or yapping like *some* shows!), provide good advice and actually show their emotions, especially when the buyers are being difficult.
They also seem to be good friends who enjoy their work and have similar taste in good clothes, witty repartee and enjoy a big glass of wine at the end of a long day's searching. Kirsty is also quite the style icon. Sometimes I think of her as a Kelly Osbourne in her 30s with her 60s style and slight wild streak. Her clothes are fab - great chunky ...
